Combination-tailpiece for violins



M. A. WILSON. COMBINATION TAILPIECE FOR VIOLINS- APPL!CATION FILED APR. 15, I920.

Patented Nov. 15, 1921.

UNITED STA MINARD A. WILSON, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY.

COMBINATION-TAILPIECE FOB VIOLINS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 15,1921.

Application filed April 15, 1920. Serial No. 374,084.

To all whom z'tmay concern: I

Be it known that I, MINARD A. WILSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Irvington, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination- Tailpieces for Violins, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is in thenature of an improved combination tail piece for violins, the same being composed of a circular arm, foot and tail, in one piece, so as to prevent side slipping, and forward pulling out from under the chin, resting on outer edge and ribs only, the angle, curve and balance foot being the main features.

In order that the construction and operation thereof may be readily comprehended, I have illustrated an approved embodimentof my invention in the accompanying drawlng, and will now proceed to fully and specifically describe the same in connection with said drawing, in which- Figure represents the rear portion of a violin, in plan view, with my tail piece mounted thereon;

Fig. 2, a sectional view, on the central, vertical, longitudinal plane indicated at 22 in Fig. l;

Fig. 3, a bottom plan view of the tail piece detached from the violin; and

Fig. 4, a sectional view, on the transverse vertical plane indicated at 44 in Fig. 2.

Like reference characters mark the same parts in all of the figures of the drawing,

Referring specifically to the drawing, 5 1ndicates the belly, 6, the back, and 7 the rear end of a violin of any ordinary construction, upon which is mounted a bridge 8, also of the usual construction.

My improved combination tail piece consists of a main body, 9, from which projects a short rear'arm 10 on one side and a curved arm 11 on the opposite side, and as these parts are arranged, I provide a pin 12, with its grain at right angles to that of the body 9 and arms 10 and 11, which I insert transversely through the two wings and the rear portion of the body, to give strength and stiffness to the arms.

The arm 11 curves forward at its outer end 13, and slightly inward at its top.

The tail piece is provided, in its under slde with a recess 14 in which is mounted a metallic plate 15, having two openings which coincide with twoopenings extending thence through the rear end of the body, a suitable wire loop 16 being provided, whose arms pass through the openings in the body and the metal plate and are suitably twisted or otherwlse secured together in the recess 14, while the loop proper lproj'ects beyond the rear end of the tall piece and engages over a suitable screw :17 secured in and projecting beyond the rear end 7 of the violin. I

The rear end of the tail piece rests solely on ribs 18 provided at the outer edge of the under surface of the arms thereof, these ribs being the sole Contact with the violin so that the tone thereof is not muted.

The strings 19 of the violin, after passing over the bridge 8, pass over a rib 20 formed across the top of the forward end of the body 9, and thence downward, through openings 21 in said body, being suitably knotted, as at 22, or otherwise secured.

The ribs 18 prevent the tail piece from side sllpping or forward pulling out from under the chin, which is a great relief to the muscles of the neck.

The chin lays rather over the circular or curved arm, than on it, and the violin well under the chin and on the collar bone, which is the proper position to give the greatest command of the instrument.

The angles, curve and balance feet are the main features, and no bolts, screws, or bands are used.

The wire as a retainer, serves to keep the tone up better and longer than the gut string in general use and it holds its position at any angle to which the bridge may be out.

Other yirtues and advantages will be observed in the use of this invention and slight changes and variations may be made in the construction of the various parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A combination tail piece for violins provided with amain body, and two laterally projecting arms at the rear end thereof, said arms having bottom ribs at their rear edges, extending transversely of the body to form the sole supporting contact with the violin.

2. A combination tail piece for w'olins comprising a main body and two arms projecting laterally at its rear end, one of said arms being short and at right angles to the body, and the other longer andcurved forwardly and inwardly at its end.

.3. A combination tail piece for violins comprising a main body and two arms projecting laterally at its rear end, one of said arms being short and at right angles to the body, and the other longer and curved for wardly and inwardly at its end, and said arms being provided at their rear under edges with downwardly projecting ribs forming the sole points of contact with the violin.' 1

4. A combination tall piece for violins providedwith a main body, and two laterany projecting arms; at the rear end thereof,

said arms having bottom ribs at their rear.

edges, extending transversely of the body to form the sole supporting contact with the violin, means in the form of a transverse rod being inserted in the arms and body to stiffen and strengthen the structure. I

5. A' combination tail piece for violins comprising a main body and suitable lateral arms, the main body being recessed in its under surface, and two openings being made from said recess out through the rear end of the body, a metal plate in the reoesss having openings coinciding with the openings in the body, and a wire loop having its arms passing through said openings and secured in the recess.

In testimony whereoi I affix my signature.

MINARD A. WILSON. 

